A Summary of Water-Quality and Salt Marsh Monitoring, Humboldt Bay, California

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | September 16th, 2022

This report summarizes data-collection activities associated with the U.S. Geological Survey Humboldt Bay Water-Quality and Salt Marsh Monitoring Project. This work was u

This report summarizes data-collection activities associated with the U.S. Geological Survey Humboldt Bay Water-Quality and Salt Marsh Monitoring Project. This work was undertaken to gain a comprehensive understanding of water-quality conditions, salt marsh accretion processes, marsh-edge erosion, and soil-carbon storage in Humboldt Bay, California. Multiparameter sondes recorded water temperature, specific conductance, and turbidity at a 15-minute timestep at two U.S. Geological Survey water-quality stations: (1) Mad River Slough near Arcata, California (U.S. Geological Survey station 405219124085601) and (2) Hookton Slough near Loleta, California (U.S. Geological Survey station 404038124131801). At each station, discrete water samples were collected to develop surrogate regression models that were used to compute a continuous time series of suspended-sediment concentration from continuously measured turbidity. Data loggers recorded water depth at a 6-minute timestep in the primary tidal channels (Mad River Slough and Hookton Slough) in two adjacent marshes (Mad River marsh and Hookton marsh). The marsh monitoring network included five study marshes. Three marshes (Mad River, Manila, and Jacoby) are in the northern embayment of Humboldt Bay and two marshes (White and Hookton) are in the southern embayment. Surface deposition and elevation change were measured using deep rod surface elevation tables and feldspar marker horizons. Sediment characteristics and soil-carbon storage were measured using a total of 10 shallow cores, distributed across 5 study marshes, collected using an Eijkelkamp peat sampler. Rates of marsh edge erosion (2010–19) were quantified in four marshes (Mad River, Manila, Jacoby, and White) by estimating changes in the areal extent of the vegetated marsh plain using repeat aerial imagery and light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-derived elevation data. During the monitoring period (2016–19), the mean suspended-sediment concentration computed for Hookton Slough (50±20 milligrams per liter [mg/L]) was higher than Mad River Slough (18±7 mg/L). Uncertainty in mean suspended-sediment concentration values is reported using a 90-percent confidence interval. Across the five study marshes, elevation change (+1.8±0.6 millimeters per year [mm/yr]) and surface deposition (+2.5±0.5 mm/yr) were lower than published values of local sea-level rise (4.9±0.8 mm/yr), and mean carbon density was 0.029±0.005 grams of carbon per cubic centimeter. From 2010 to 2019, marsh edge erosion and soil carbon loss were greatest in low-elevation marshes with the marsh edge characterized by a gentle transition from mudflat to vegetated marsh (herein, ramped edge morphology) and larger wind-wave exposure. Jacoby Creek marsh experienced the greatest edge erosion. In total, marsh edge erosion was responsible for 62.3 metric tons of estuarine soil carbon storage loss across four study marshes. Salt marshes are an important component of coastal carbon, which is frequently referred to as “blue carbon.” The monitoring data presented in this report provide fundamental information needed to manage blue carbon stocks, assess marsh vulnerability, inform sea-level rise adaptation planning, and build coastal resiliency to climate change.

A Summary of Water-Quality Monitoring in San Francisco Bay in Water Year 2017

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 1st, 2020

This report summarizes the activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) San Francisco Bay Water-Quality Monitoring and Sediment Transport Project during water

This report summarizes the activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) San Francisco Bay Water-Quality Monitoring and Sediment Transport Project during water year 2017, including an explanation of methods employed, stations operated, and a graphical summary of data for the period of record for stations operational in water year 2017. In cooperation with partner agencies, the USGS maintains a network of sensors that continuously and autonomously measures water-quality parameters in San Francisco Bay including water temperature, specific conductance, turbidity, and suspended-sediment concentration. Data are collected at several locations in the estuary by a network of water-quality sondes sampled at 15-minute intervals. Methods of data collection are presented along with documentation of the regression models utilized to estimate suspended-sediment concentration from observed turbidity, a commonly utilized surrogate to estimate suspended-sediment concentration. The goals of the data collection effort are to (1) obtain long-term, high-frequency, and high-quality data to describe San Francisco Bay water quality; (2) make the data publicly available on the USGS National Water Information System data portal; and (3) help improve understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of water quality in the estuary, informing management decisions regarding restoration, water supply, navigation, and ecology.

A Synthesis of Aquatic Science for Management of Lakes Mead and Mohave

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | January 29th, 2013

Lakes Mead and Mohave, which are the centerpieces of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, provide many significant benefits that have made the modern development of the So

Lakes Mead and Mohave, which are the centerpieces of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, provide many significant benefits that have made the modern development of the Southwestern United States possible. Lake Mead is the largest reservoir by volume in the nation and it supplies critical storage of water supplies for more than 25 million people in three Western States (California, Arizona, and Nevada). Storage within Lake Mead supplies drinking water and the hydropower to provide electricity for major cities including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Tucson, and San Diego, and irrigation of more than 2.5 million acres of croplands. Lake Mead is arguably the most important reservoir in the nation because of its size and the services it delivers to the Western United States. This Circular includes seven chapters. Chapter 1 provides a short summary of the overall findings and management implications for Lakes Mead and Mohave that can be used to guide the reader through the rest of the Circular. Chapter 2 introduces the environmental setting and characteristics of Lakes Mead and Mohave and provides a brief management context of the lakes within the Colorado River system as well as overviews of the geological bedrock and sediment accumulations of the lakes. Chapter 3 contains summaries of the operational and hydrologic characteristics of Lakes Mead and Mohave. Chapter 4 provides information on water quality, including discussion on the monitoring of contaminants and sediments within the reservoirs. Chapter 5 describes aquatic biota and wildlife, including food-web dynamics, plankton, invertebrates, fish, aquatic birds, and aquatic vegetation. Chapter 6 outlines threats and stressors to the health of Lake Mead aquatic ecosystems that include a range of environmental contaminants, invasive species, and climate change. Chapter 7 provides a more detailed summary of overall findings that are presented in Chapter 1; and it contains a more detailed discussion on associated management implications, additional research, and monitoring needs.

A Technical Advisor’s Manual Managing Agricultural Irrigation Drainage Water: A guide for developing Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management Systems

California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) | September 29th, 2005

This manual is part of a two-part educational and outreach program to educate landowners and technical advisors about the advantages, disadvantages, costs, environmental

This manual is part of a two-part educational and outreach program to educate landowners and technical advisors about the advantages, disadvantages, costs, environmental regulations and other considerations in developing and implementing an Integrated On-Farm Drainage Management program for salinity control. The first part of the educational program focused on the production and distribution of a guidance manual designed for landowners. It was released in 2004. This manual is the second component of the program, and is designed to provide technical consultants and support personnel with the tools they need to assist farmers with developing and implementing an effective IFDM program. An IFDM system can serve as a viable alternative for landowners who may not choose to participate in a voluntary land retirement program for drainage-impacted lands. Once irrigation systems have been optimized to maximize water use efficiency and to minimize the production of subsurface drainage water, an IFDM system can be designed to enable the landowner to process the resulting drainage water on-farm. Interest in IFDM is increasing. The merits of IFDM have been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State Water Resources Control Board through the award of a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grant to educate farmers and to train professionals about IFDM implementation. Both manuals were funded by the grant, targeting the needs of the landowners, water/drainage district managers, engineers and technical professionals.

A ubiquitous tire rubber–derived chemical induces acute mortality in coho salmon

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) | December 3rd, 2020

A Water Resources Data Network Evaluation for Monterey County, California; Phase 1; South County

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | July 12th, 1986

An evaluation made of rainfall, surface water, groundwater, and water quality monitoring networks in Salinas River basin in southern Monterey County, California, proposed

An evaluation made of rainfall, surface water, groundwater, and water quality monitoring networks in Salinas River basin in southern Monterey County, California, proposed all long-term rain gages be continued for extending short-term records and suggested the installation of two additional recording gages. Eight new storage rain gages were suggested at midaltitudes of east and west sides of Salinas Valley where few data are available. The evaluation revealed some short-term gaging stations could be discontinued because of good regression relations between them and the long-term stations Arroyo Seco near Soledad. Of 16 stations selected for the proposed network, 4 are new recording stations, 6 are new nonrecording streamflow and water quality sampling sites, 5 are existing stations, and the last is a station operated from 1969 to 1976; also included are water quality sampling stations on Lakes Nacimiento and San Antonio. The proposed groundwater network was developed from information on geology, geohydrology, and groundwater quality, high priority objectives for groundwater network, and consideration for providing good areal coverage of levels and water quality. Of 145 sites selected, 86 are existing monitoring wells.

A Water Resources Data Network Evaluation for Monterey County, California; Phase 3, Northern Salinas River Drainage Basin

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | December 13th, 1990

Continuing data collection and analysis are vital to efficient development and management of water resources. To insure that water managers have adequate information on c

Continuing data collection and analysis are vital to efficient development and management of water resources. To insure that water managers have adequate information on conditions and trends, data-collection programs must be evaluated and updated periodically. Changes in population, land use, and agricultural practices may increase the demand for water, so that effective water management and supporting data collection become even more critical. Consideration of cost effectiveness, however, means that every site must count, and redundancy must be minimized. Water resources management and monitoring are ever-changing, and periodic reevaluation is a necessary part of this process. This report presents an evaluation of precipitation, surface-water, and ground-water monitoring networks in the northern Salinas River drainage basin of Monterey County, California. This report is third in a series of reports prepared in cooperation with the Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (MCFCWCD). The phase 1 report (Showalter and Hoffard, 1986) covers the southern Salinas River drainage basin, the phase 2 report covers the north county and coastal areas of Monterey County (W.E. Templin, P.E. Smith, and R.C. Schluter, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., 1989), and this report (phase 3) covers the northern Salinas River drainage basin.

A Water Resources Data-Network Evaluation for Monterey County, California, Phase 3: Northern Salinas River Drainage Basin

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) | December 15th, 1990

This report presents an evaluation of water resources data collection networks in the northern Salinas River drainage basin, Monterey County, California. The eval

This report presents an evaluation of water resources data collection networks in the northern Salinas River drainage basin, Monterey County, California. The evaluation, done in cooperation with the Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, covers both quantity and quality monitoring by precipitation, surface-water, and ground-water networks. The report describes existing networks in the study area and possible additional data collection. The study identified 34 precipitation gages in the study area, of which 20 are active. The stations are concentrated in the northwestern part of the study area. Data are lacking for the eastern and southern parts of the study area, as well as the southwestern slopes of the Gabilan Range. No precipitation-quality networks were identified. Possible data-collection efforts for precipitation quality include monitoring for acid rain and for pesticides in precipitation. The study identified 10 streamflow-gaging stations, of which 6 are active. To meet the objectives for streamflow networks that are outlined in the report, all sites could be reactivated, and two of the inactive sites could be relocated to improve the reliability of the data. Besides these stations, nine possible additional streamflow-gaging sites were identified. The Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District samples one surface-water site for suspended sediment, specific conductance, and chlorides. Several agencies have done water-quality sampling in the past, but only five sites are active. Reactivation of the 45 inactive sites might help to meet the various surface-water-quality objectives described in the report. Development of a stream-reach rating system also could help to identify parts of the study area most in need of sampling. The Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District maintains three networks to measure ground-water levels on a monthly basis, during peak irrigation, and at the end of the irrigation season. The District measures water levels in 318 wells. The only other network identified for this report was operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, and none of its five wells are active. The study identified 128 sections in which no ground-water-level monitoring is presently done. Well coverage is densest in the saltwater-intrusion areas near Castroville, California. Wells in the rest of the study area are more sparsely distributed and are concentrated down the center of the drainage basin in the alluvial ground-water basin. The ideal initial baseline network of ground-water-quality wells would be an evenly spaced grid of index wells within each aquifer, with a density of one per section. Once baseline conditions were established, representative wells could be selected and monitored annually. As of 1985, the Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District monitored 379 study wells in the area for various water-quality conditions. Other networks monitor (or propose the monitoring of) 135 wells. The District collects samples in summer months to monitor saltwater intrusion near Castroville. Annual samples also are analyzed for chloride, specific conductance, and nitrate. Every 5 years, the District does a complete mineral analysis on each study well. Improvements in network coverage are suggested to better approximate ideal network coverage. The adequacy of wells in existing monitoring networks for representing actual conditions in the ground-water basins was not established conclusively. Possible redundancy of information from existing networks was not evaluated statistically. Despite these limitations, this report does provide a basis for assessing the adequacy of ground-water-level networks in the study area. The computerized Geographic Information System (GIS) that is planned for Monterey County could easily use the information in this report for the needed initial analysis of network adequacy. The feasibility of management and analysis of large complicated data bases (such as the ground water networks identified in this report) is substantially improved through the use of state-of-the-art GIS tools now available.

Accounting for Water "Wasted to the Sea"

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | April 19th, 2018

Freshwater outflow from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is a contentious management issue. Once mixed with salt water of San Francisco Bay, outflow is often characteri

Freshwater outflow from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta is a contentious management issue. Once mixed with salt water of San Francisco Bay, outflow is often characterized as having no value for urban and agricultural water supply, and thus “wasted to the sea.” In the July issue of San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science, Cloern et al. (2017) showed how outflow from the Delta provides multiple and diverse benefits to the San Francisco estuary. Rather than being “wasted,” this outflow improves ecosystem conditions and water quality, and reduces wastewater treatment costs. The Cloern et al. (2017) essay highlights the importance of considering the multiple benefits of water as it moves within and out of the Delta. To do this, however, California needs a better water accounting system. In this report, we present an alternative approach. For the period 1980–2016, we assign inflow to the Delta to four categories: 1. Water used for diversions, 2. Outflow needed to meet salinity standards for diversions, 3. Outflow to meet ecosystem regulations, and 4. Water that results in outflow because of a lack of capacity for diversion. This approach highlights that much of the outflow from the Delta — particularly during dry periods — achieves multiple economic and environmental benefits and is hardly “wasted to the sea.”

Adaptation of a reference site selection methodology to creeks and sloughs of California’s Sacramento Valley and alternative strategies for developing a regional bioassessment framework

Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) | November 14th, 2005

Bioassessment has shown significant promise as an effective tool for ambient water quality management in many regions of California. However, the scale and intensity of l

Bioassessment has shown significant promise as an effective tool for ambient water quality management in many regions of California. However, the scale and intensity of landscape and water transport alteration in the Central Valley pose substantial challenges to implementing bioassessment to its full potential in the region. Bioassessment programs usually are established around a careful characterization of regional reference conditions, which can be defined as the condition of waterbodies that are least impaired by human activities. The reference condition defines a benchmark against which to infer biological impairment and to set expectations for biotic condition. Although there are several techniques available for determining reference condition, by far the most commonly applied is the use of reference sites, which are used to establish the range of natural variability in biotic condition. We investigated the potential for identifying reference sites for segments of sloughs and creeks of the Sacramento Valley at elevations less than 85 meters. We describe here the results of a pilot study designed to adapt an existing reference site selection methodology for use in the Central Valley. Potential reference sloughs and creeks were selected on the basis of a suite of visual assessments of riparian and instream condition and qualitative GIS-based land use data. Analysis of the benthic macroinvertebrate (BMI) assemblages collected from 30 targeted reference sites (23 creeks and 7 sloughs) was focused on addressing two main questions: 1) should creeks and sloughs be considered unique waterbody classes for the purposes of bioassessment?, 2) what is the potential for reference site based bioassessment in valley waterbodies? We addressed these questions with the BMI data using a combination of direct metric comparisons and NMS ordination. To improve our ability to interpret patterns at our 30 sites, we included two additional datasets of BMI data recently collected from nearby waterbodies. We drew three general conclusions from this study: 1) the adaptation of reference site selection to Central Valley streams was effective; we were able to find sites in the valley to use as reference and there is enough diversity in the BMI assemblages at these reference sites to use them to detect impairment, 2) although creeks and sloughs may need to be treated as separate classes of waterbodies for bioassessment-based regulation, there is evidence to suggest that the differences are not clear-cut and the question needs further investigation, 3) BMI assemblages in valley floor reference sites are clearly different from those in foothill reference sites. We discuss the potential for reference site based determination of reference conditions and summarize the current state of the science for defining reference condition in regions without adequate reference sites. We also list a set of recommendations that the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board should consider while constructing a defensible framework for bioassessment in the Central Valley.